Halt! Pace yourself!
In response to recurring instances of drivers exceeding the speed limit within road tunnels, including the unnamed Ko-Bogen tunnel, municipal authorities have taken proactive steps to ensure adherence to the established speed limits. Prior to installation, the newly-implemented speed monitoring systems were thoroughly calibrated and put through rigorous testing. Results showed that hundreds of vehicles daily surpassed the permitted speed, prompting the city to install the systems.
According to a quantitative risk analysis based on guidelines for road tunnels (RABT), the Ko-Bogen tunnel's safe operation is contingent upon the strict adherence to the specified speed limit. Evaluations have consistently revealed that drivers regularly exceed the maximum permitted speed by 10 to 15 km/h. In light of these findings, the installation of the speed monitoring systems was deemed essential to promotefuture compliance with speed restrictions.
Three radar systems were strategically installed at the congestion points of the Ko-Bogen tunnel, focusing on the merging areas of traffic flows. These locations were carefully chosen for optimal coverage and surveillance, taking into account vehicular tendencies to speed up during lane changes and the substantial gradient within the tunnel, necessitating active braking upon entry to maintain the permitted speed and avoid flashing due to excessive speed.
By implementing measures such as speed cameras, variable speed limits, intelligent traffic systems, clear signage, road markings, traffic calming measures, public awareness campaigns, and regular enforcement, municipal authorities can effectively address the issue of speeding in road tunnels, improving both driver and tunnel safety.
In the scope of ensuring tunnel safety, the city's finance department allocated funds for the installation of speed monitoring systems in the Ko-Bogen tunnel, recognizing the importance of industry standards for transportation safety. In an effort to mitigate financial risks associated with potential accidents caused by speeding drivers, these systems were installed to facilitate future compliance with speed limits.
